Stress Can Make Your Body Run Like A Broken Down Car

If asked if your job is stressful, chances are you would answer with an emphatic "Boy is it ever"! Work is by far the leading source of stress in our lives. Nine out of ten people say they experience high levels of stress several times a week. And one out of four of us have high stress levels every day. What you may not know is that your stress from work may, in fact, be affecting your health. Stress affects the body in many different ways. Some kinds of stress are beneficial. Others can cause serious health problems. Chronic stress weakens the body's physiological systems and leads to innumerable health problems. In fact, WebMD estimates that 75% to 95% of all doctor's visits are stress related. Major stress related health problems include: work stress, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, faster aging, strokes, depression, ulcers, asthma, weaker immune system (reducing your natural ability to fight off infection), loss of memory Even more frightening is that job stress is at an all-time high and continues to rise. For most people the number of hours worked has increased. Where hours don't increase the number of responsibilities increase and deadlines become more and more intense. Job stress even invades our vacation time. According to Anderson Consulting, 80% of people who took vacations in 2000 stayed in touch with the office by taking their laptop or cell phone with them. There are several indicators you can use to determine if you suffer from chronic stress. Warning signs of chronic stress include headaches, teeth-grinding, back pain (especially in the shoulders or neck), anxiety, and insomnia. Even lots of day dreaming as escape from your situation is a sign you need to begin to manage your stress. If you suffer from chronic stress, there are a lot of things you can do to reduce the stress. Some of the most effective stress management techniques include relaxation exercises and meditation. If you are at work and need to reduce stress, try deep (abdominal) breathing while visualizing a peaceful scene or wonderful past memory that brings a smile to your face. Ultimately, virtually every job is stressful somewhat. But by identifying and effectively managing your stress, you can reduce its negative effects and enjoy a healthier life. Why risk being taken by surprise with a health problem when the stress begins to hit your body. Manage your stress today. The effects of your efforts will increase over time. But you have to start immediately.